The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission said Monday it will run a one-month "intensive reporting period for workplace bullying in medical institutions" from Monday through Sept. 9. [Herald DB]
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission said Monday it will run a one-month "intensive reporting period for workplace bullying in medical institutions" from Monday through Sept. 9. [Herald DB]

South Korea's Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission has moved to stamp out "taeeum" — a term for entrenched workplace bullying in healthcare settings — by opening a one-month intensive reporting period and rolling out tailored prevention education at hospitals and nursing colleges across the country.

The commission said Monday it will operate an "intensive reporting period for workplace bullying in medical institutions" from Monday through Sept. 9.

Reports may cover workplace bullying within medical institutions, employers' failure to take adequate action following a victim's request, and dismissals or other unfavorable treatment of those who file complaints or suffer harm.

Where a medical institution qualifies as a public institution under the Act on the Prevention of Corruption and the Establishment and Operation of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, violations of codes of conduct — including improper instructions or demands unrelated to official duties — may also be reported.

The commission said it will strictly protect the identities of those who come forward and, should any retaliatory dismissal or disciplinary action follow a report, will provide reinstatement measures alongside personal protection.

Those concerned about identity exposure may use an anonymous proxy-reporting system, under which a lawyer files the complaint on their behalf. Even if a reporter's own wrongdoing comes to light during the process, their sentence may be reduced or waived.

Prevention education will run alongside the reporting drive. The National Integrity and Civil Rights Education Institute, an arm of the commission, will partner with hospitals and nursing colleges to deliver tailored training for current and prospective nurses, focusing on building a culture of mutual respect and explaining procedures for seeking redress.

In September, the commission plans to produce educational videos on prevention and response that nurses nationwide can watch at any time and post them on the Korean Nurses Association's official website. Special lectures for nursing students are also being prepared.

"We will do our utmost both to detect problems by encouraging reporting and to prevent them through education, so that tragedies like taeeum no longer occur in medical settings where lives are saved," commission chairperson Jeong Il-yeon said. "We ask colleagues in the workplace and members of the public to show their support and get involved so that those suffering from workplace bullying can smile again."


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